Long before any Renegade other than Johnny Scott was born, the 1969 Miracle Mets coined the catch phrase 'Ya Gotta Believe.'

Yesterday, CFL interceptions leader Korey Banks may have stumbled on a similar season motto for the previously inept Ottawa pro football team.

"You gotta believe," said Banks, "to achieve."

The T-shirt is sure to follow.

Tonight at Frank Clair Stadium, the soaring Renegades have a chance to match a franchise-high three-game winning streak and improve their record to 5-3 when they host Saskatchewan.

Much to the surprise of a nation, an Ottawa victory coupled with a Montreal win in Toronto tomorrow would also leave the Renegades in sole possession of first place eight weeks into the 18-game schedule.

Beating the 'Riders would keep them two Ws ahead of the division crossover pace in the race for their first-ever playoff spot, as well. But the Renegades are starting to sound less concerned about who is over their shoulder.

"We were asking some guys in B.C. about how many wins it takes to get to the Grey Cup, and they said only one," said cornerback Bo Rogers.

One win to get to the championship game?

"Yeah, one win in the playoffs," said Rogers, referring to finishing first and having the luxury of hosting the division final. "It would be nice if we could do that."

OVERCOME ADVERSITY

Before they achieve ... they have to overcome adversity. A rare form of it this week, too, as a defence that has generally carried the team to this point will have its chemistry affected not by injury but a Joe Paopao-imposed "indefinite" suspension.

Starting end Ray Jacobs, whose past has included booze and drug related problems, will not be in uniform tonight, if ever again, after his failure to show up for practice earlier this week prompted the coach into action.

"It has nothing to do with the law, except in-house," Paopao said yesterday in keeping the issue confidential. "Will he be back? That's to be determined at a later date."

Filling for Jacobs will be Scott, a 12-year CFL veteran who has been here since the end of training camp, but will be making his debut as a Renegade. At 37, the team's oldest dog is learning a new trick, as he has spent his career as a run-stuffing defensive tackle.

"I'm used to playing closer to the quarterback ... and being double-teamed," said Scott, who will be backed up by rookie Matt Kirk. "Being out there (one-on-one against an offensive tackle) is pretty exciting. I'm just looking for the chance to prove myself all over again."